Wind

Wind in my sails.

Run down my spine.

Caress me and hold me.

In the sun's crisp shine.

Breeze that beholds me.

Carry my kiss.

Across the gray oceans.

To him who I miss.

Sense and Sensibility 5-8

5. "Her mind did become settled, but it was settled in a gloomy dejection. She felt the loss of Willoughby's character yet more heavily than she had felt the loss of his heart; his seduction and desertion of Miss Williams, the misery of that poor girl, and the doubt of what his designs might once have been on herself, preyed altogether so much on her spirits, that she could not bring herself to speak of what she felt even to Elinor; and brooding over her sorrows in silence, gave more pain to her sister than could have been communicated by the most open and most frequent confession of them." (Austen 178)

Marianne's acceptance of Willoughby's nasty history is a very sad part of the book... it signifies the death of her strongest passion. This demonstrates a turning point in the book, because instead of being hysterical and upset like she usually would, Marianne starts to hold some feelings just inside herself. This shows her maturing as an individual, and also realising that sometimes some things are too good to be true. This loss of child-like innocence is more worrisome to Elinor, her older sister, than the usual fit that Marianne would have thrown at this news, because it is a stark change to her usual behavior.

6. "Her narration was clear and simple; and though it could not be given without emotion, it was not accompanied by violent agitation, nor impetuous grief. -That belonged rather to the hearer, for Marianne listened with horror, and cried excessively. Elinor was to be the comforter of others in her own distresses, no less than in theirs; and all the comfort that could be given by assurances of her own composure of mind, and a very earnest vindication of Edward from every charge but of imprudence, was readily offered." (Austen 218)

This passage is important because it shows the character contrast between Elinor and Marianne. Like night and day, the sisters have completely different personalitites. Marianne cannot control herself at all, and even though Elinor is sharing her own drama, ironically she ends up being the one doing the consolations because Marianne cannot handle the information without exploding into emotion. This passage also shows the immense inner fortitude of Elinor, who is suffering greatly on the inside but can control it effectively.

7. "How should she begin- how she should express herself in her note to Edward, was now all her concern. The particular circumstances between them made a difficulty of that which to any other person would have been the easiest thing in the world; but she equally feared to say too much or too little, and sat deliberating over her paper, with the pen in her hand, till broken in on by the entrance of Edward himself." (Austen 241)

There are a few times in the book when Elinor's feelings are explored, and most of them are silent windows to her mind because she usually doesn't talk about her feelings to others. This section is important because since Marianne is so much more vocal and dramatic about her problems than Elinor sometimes it is possible to forget about the plight of the elder sister. However, this quiet little scene really reveals her inner confusion and struggle no matter how composed she looks to everyone around her. Thank goodness Edward barged in and spared her the frustration. :)

8. "...the Colonel's manners are not only more pleasing to me than Willoughby's ever were, but they are of a kind I well know to be more solidly attached to Marianne. Their gentleness, their genuine attention to other people, and their manly unstudied simplicity is much more accordant with their real disposition, than the liveliness- often artificial, and often ill-timed of the other. I am very sure myself, that had Willoughby turned out as really amiable, as he has proved himself with the contrary, Marianne would yet never have been so happy with him, as she will be with Colonel Brandon." (Austen 286)

This line is really important because it really talks about one of the main themes in the book. Willougby, who was characterized as a 'perfect' man, was the main attention of Marianne throughout the entire book. However, by the end, we can see that even though Willoughby is handsome, young and gives the impression that he's 'all that', the imperfect Colonel Brandon defeats him in all matters of importance like character, heart and wisdom to the point where he is even more pleasing to the eye than the scandalous Willoughby. This leads to the theme that good character traits reflect on a person's beauty, while if someone is naturally handsome but have a bad character they may look ugly.

Sense and Sensibility Quotes 1-4

1. "'At first sight, his address is certainly not striking; and his person can hardly be called handsome, till the expression of his eyes, which are uncommonly good, and the general sweetness of his countenance is perceived. At present, I know him so well, that I think him really handsome; or, at least, almost so.'" (Austen 16)
Spoken by Elinor, the eldest Dashwood sister, this quote is a true window into her character. Elinor does not idealise anyone much, not even her love, which provides a contrast to Marianne who thinks that Willoughby is perfect in every manner. The ongoing crusade of Elinor's love for Edward starts with this passage, and leads the reader through the entire book, so this is also an important quote in terms of plot.

2. "'What! -while attending me in all my misery, has this been on your heart? -and I have reproached you for being happy!-'
'It was not fit that you should then know how much I was the reverse.'" (Austen 219)
Many times Elinor is so good at masking her feelings that no one knows what she is really going through, even her closest confidants. As Marianne was letting herself run wild over her drama with Willoughby, Elinor was helping her feel better and tending to her in any way possible. Now, when Marianne found out that Elinor had, in fact, been experiencing a near-heartbreak the entire time, she was shocked. This event marks the turning point in the story when finally both sisters have confided in each other and their problems begin to slowly turn around.

3. "He was the only person in the world who could at that moment be forgiven for not being Willoughby; the only one who could have gained a smile from her; but she dispersed her tears to smile on him, and in her sister's happiness forgot for a time her own disappointment." (Austen 72)
Even though Marianne was grieving for the flight of Willoughby from their cottage, she still feels happy for her sister's happiness which shows their close relationship. Also, the character of Edward is shows as so generally pleasing and likeable that he could pull some happy emotions even out of someone in deep despair like Marianne.

4."What felt Elinor at that moment? Astonishment, that would have been as painful as it was strong, had not an immedeate disbelief of the assertion attended it. She turned towards Lucy in silent amazement, unable to divine the reasone or object of such a declaration, and though her complexion varied, she stood firm in incredulity, and felt in no danger of an hysterical fit, or a swoon." (Austen 109)
This marks a low point in the book - not only has Willoughby left Marianne alone with no promise, but now it turns out that the wonderful Edward has been secretly engaged for four years! Obviously this would make anyone in Elinor's position want to cry aloud, but being so talented at controlling herself, Elinor doesn't show her true emotions to Lucy Steele, which turns out to be a good thing because the Steele's end up bringing Elinor closer to Edward, and with his fiancee and his love on the doorstep, Edward is forced to make a decision. (He makes the right one, of course!)

Restraint

When should people let themselves free, and when should people restrain their emotions?

It's hard to know when your feelings will lead to more harm than good, however it is very important not to let a good thing escalate into something out of control.

Sense and Sensibility shows this idea through the sisters Elinor and Marianne. Where Elinor does not let herself be preoccupied about Edward, Marianne gave way to herself and completely short-circuited on her love of Willoughby. Because Elinor had self-restraint, when Edward came she was ready to take him in happily. Marianne's emotions got her into trouble: Willoughby ended up leaving with another girl, and Marianne's emotional dependence on him gave her a very hard time.

Waterhouse ----> Austen

I just encountered the paintings of John William Waterhouse. I absolutely love his style and I just don't understand why I haven't come upon him earlier!

But it's pretty interesting because he is also from England, just like Jane Austen, who wrote Sense and Sensibility. Many of his pieces have to do with legends and myths, and lots of them are quite romantic.

I suppose any romantic story can find a place in Sense and Sensibility... it's just stocked with every possible circumstance is amorous type! Forbidden love, outspoken love, quiet and shy love, love at first sight. All these play part in Austen's book. It's quite amazing how she did it.

Sense and Sensibility Again

Oh, how I dreaded it...

No, but Elinor HAD to find out!

She had to find out that her beloved... is engaged!

*shocked gasps float from the audience*

Jane Austen has Elinor handle her emotions quite well. It's really quite astonishing... being faced with such brutal and cruel knowledge and every inch of her heart being denied, Elinor kept face. Not on the inside, but en face with Lucy Steele she didn't make any a distressed move.

The only thing to perhaps give her away to Lucy was her sudden hardness of character... but Lucy doesn't think much. She's not the type to read deep into people, and even less into introverted and quiet individuals, like Elinor, who do not wear their hearts on their sleeve.

Social Politics

In Sense and Sensibility, Elinor is a really admirable girl. I guess you could call her a model person, embodying many good traits.

One of those is her toleration of people. Whereas Marianne likes to flee annoying company, Elinor does not find it so easy to act so inconsiderably. The reader must sympathize with Elinor as she has to take on the tough job of speaking civilly to the most ridiculous of visitors and acquaintances.

However, this remarkable toleration does bring good to Elinor when she finds out about Lucy Steele's secret involving her beloved Edward Ferrars... *gasp*